The Church of the Assumption of St Mary the Virgin
The church is at the north west end of the village, it is built of yellow limestone rubble: the roofs are covered with lead and with tiles. It was built in the 14th century on the site of a former church. The North Aisle was the first to be built, probably as an addition to an earlier aisle-less Nave, the Chancel was rebuilt soon after and enlarged to its present size, then the South Aisle and West Tower were added and the clearstorey was constructed. In the early15th century some rebuilding was done. The 19th and 20th centuries saw the addition of the South Porch, the North Vestry and the Organ-chamber, also a wooden bell chamber was built and the Chancel was almost entirely rebuilt with much restoration taking place, the work of the Victorian architect G. E. Street.
Among the bells the sanctus is by Richard Chandler, 1695. There is a 15th century Piscina in the South Aisle with a round basin and trefoiled two-centered head. In the North Aisle on the east side of the north doorway, there is a niche with rounded chamfered head, having no basin, but probably stoup.
The Advowson for the church was divided into two patronages. These were to the lord of the manor and secondly to Luffield Priory. Until 1470 each presented their several respective Incumbents and two rectors officiated in Beachampton. After 1470, an agreement was reached whereby each alternately presented an incumbent, and after the reformation the Advowson was purely in the hands of the manor. Finally, since 1827 the right of appointment of the Rector has been the gift of the Master and Fellows of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.
